How PFI used the “Islam is in danger” slogan to radicalise, recruit Muslims into its fold

The PFI was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs vide a notification issued on September 28 2022. The MHA noted that the outfit had links with foreign terrorist groups such as Islamic State.

The Popular Front of India (PFI) which was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last year had used the slogan 'Islam is in danger,' on numerous occasions.

The coinage of this slogan was used heavily by the PFI to recruit gullible Muslim youth and according to investigations, the same worked wonders for the outfit.

In its first chargesheet against the PFI, the NIA said, "the accused radicalised gullible Muslim youth by brainwashing them into believing that Islam was in danger in India and therefore it was essential for the PFI cadres and community to train themselves in the use of arms for protecting Islam and establishing Islamic rule in India by 2047."

The PFI's modus operandi was very well-defined. It was able to mobilise youth at a drop of a hat. Its propaganda wing was also very strong, which constantly sent out the message about how Islam is in danger in India. This was found during the anti-CAA protest in which the outfit played a huge role. It had successfully managed to put out the message that the Citizenship Amendment Act would prove counterproductive to Muslims in India. It worked for the PFI and the violence that took place was out there to see.

An official explains to OneIndia, that this coinage is not unique to the PFI alone. Many other terror groups use this to radicalise Muslim youth. The Islamic State has taken it another notch and recruits youth on the pretext of establishing the Islamic Caliphate. There are many impressionable youth who spend a lot of time on the social media. When such messages are hammered day-in and day-out, it is bound to have an impact on these Muslim youth. Furthermore a relentless propaganda is on about the dangers of the BJP being in power at the Centre. A mindset has been created to make many Muslim youth believe that BJP is anti-Muslim, the officer also explains.

In the chargesheet filed against two seasoned PFI cadres, Asif and Sarraf from Rajasthan, the NIA said that they were radicalising gullible Muslim you by brainwashing them into believing Islam was in danger in India. Here it was essential for the PFI cadres and the community to train themselves in the use of arms for protecting Islam and establishing the Islamic Rule by 2047. They were also collecting funds in the name of Zakat for the procurement of weapons and organising weapon and explosive training camps for the cadres of the PFI.

"They were involved in recruitment and radicalisation of impressionable Muslim youth for the PFI for committing violent acts. They were also found involved in organising training camps in handling of weapons and explosives, instigating PFI cadres to pick up arms and raising funds for carrying out violent activities. They were also found actively promoting enmity between different religious groups in India and motivating the youth to resort to violent means to establish Islamic rule in the country," a spokesperson for the NIA said.

The MHA while banning the PFI on September 28 2022 and said that the group had international linkages and some of its members had joined the Islamic State and taken part in terror activities in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.